The Savant

Realms of Sun & Shadow

A touch of tavern music

The scent of warm spices began to flood the semi-busy kitchen as Sunni gracefully moved around the room. A handful of patrons were out front which he took note of — I should be quick. Continuing his mission to feed himself, he was using very simple ingredients, but he was making something that he loved. It was an unadorned dish, though it was filling. A potato and egg dish.

Sunni glanced with a smile when Syraeia came into the kitchen, a little bit of acknowledgment so she knew he was listening, as he finished cooking his meal. “Never apologize to me Syraeia. I understand it has been busy, and I know I should stay to help you on these kinds of days though Dawnhaven will not build itself,” The man grabbed a rag and put it around the cast iron skillet. Moving it off from the fire and onto the wooden counter. Placing some cloth under it.

“I planned on cleaning up the mud when I do the floors tonight, I will tidy it up on my way out, but I will deep clean when things slow down,” He informed her politely as he grabbed a plate. Serving himself half of the pan while grabbing a utensil and taking a bite. His eyes closed while he groaned. The man forgot to eat today. This tasted like ambrosia to him.

Swallowing the food down, his eyes opened, and his smile became a grin, “I’ll give the boys a break, and I’ll help around here. Do not worry. I got you,” Sunni confirmed his plans while taking another bite of his food. Leaning against the counter and enjoying the flavor. He loved potatoes.

“And you are doing wonderful,” His voice was positive and airy. A compliment to help increase her confidence. She was doing good with running the inn, and he was proud of her.

I am fortunate, many others are not, my home never stood a chance.

Those words caused a light knit of his brow to form, and he stared at Syraeia. Sunni understood that they didn’t know each other, not well, and that they were not friends, but he could see that whatever was on her mind bothered her. Her past. The mood in the room changed, and he could sense the sadness of the woman. His energy turned more serious as his expression faded to a neutral-positive one. He stared at her for a few seconds in thought. Looking down at his food and nodding his head in determining a decision.

Looking up again to see her leaving the back and returning to the front. He sighed. One of his hands came over his face, covering his mouth, as he looked at one of the walls blankly. — So many people were coming to Dawnhaven with such stories. Such horrid backgrounds. The two boys I am training in carpentry, construction, and other skills were orphans from Aurelia. I wish I could help… — The thoughts went through his mind before he continued to eat his food.

His eyes shot up when he heard the familiar “Ahhh” since he knew Syraeia had returned, and a faint smile came over his face. He was always too positive… sometimes annoying for a lot of people but he rather be happy than anything else. “I will,” he mentioned while putting his plate down.

“Syraeia,” Sunni said as if he was warning her about something. She was changing the topics about rumors and so on. He didn’t feel like she truly wanted to hear about the drama in town especially after bringing up her own so vaguely and, so quickly. At first, he paused, and he stood a foot away from her. Inhaling deeply, he took that final step and wrapped his arms around her. “You can talk to me about anything if you want to. Life is hard, and it sucks being alone through self tortures,” Sunni softly spoke as the hug he offered was warm, secure, and caring. The man knew too well how it was to walk alone in self-torment. He had for many years… and he still does. It’s like walking on a path in a forest that you do not know while it’s so foggy you barely can see anything around you. You know you are on a path. You know it’s leading somewhere. You know there could be so many possibilities out there in the fog, but all you can hear is the horrid screams and agonizing sounds of the dangers around you. It could be overwhelming and completely maddening if you allowed it to consume your soul.

---

Interaction @PrinceAlexus Syraeia

Realms of Sun & Shadow

A panic was heavily clouding the room as the realization that the first day of winter had finally been here. Today is the first day of winter. Officially. This was not something she wanted to acknowledge as she stared at her long list of many things that Dawnhaven’s people needed. She grumbled to herself as she sat at the foot of her bed, hunched over, and looking through the list. It was sad to see that only one-fourth of her whole list was actually done or set in stone. At least the beginning of what a town was had a friendly and resourceful merchant — Cyrus Emberani — who was very helpful in getting the items she needed. Sadly, she was informed by him last night that the order was running a little late. It should get here within the next few days and he apologized for it not arriving the week before the first day of winter.

It might have been an oddity for such an estranged man to be alone in the princess’s room with her, but she didn’t think of Mister Emberani as a threat. He was a little goofy and somewhat of a pain in the ass at times though he meant good. At least she thought he did. “Elara, will you have time to help create blankets and accessories for the winter months? I feel like it will be harsh and we have no hands…” she sighed as she wanted to say more but found it to be lacking to do so. She muttered to herself some more.

“And if you can, can you ask people, when it is convenient if they are capable of helping with the sewing and knitting of warm blankets and socks? I have no idea who could help us with those items except you and I,” Princess Octavia knew she was over worrying about everything but she knew she needed to. The winters could be so harsh.

The princess’s request was more than a mere task; it was a plea for the well-being of her people. The warmth of a blanket or the comfort of a well-knit sock could mean the difference between endurance and suffering for many once the frost set in. Elara nodded solemnly, her silver hair catching the dim light as she spoke.

“Your Highness,” she began, her voice a soothing balm against the chill of uncertainty present in the room, “the winter’s embrace may be harsh, but it is no match for the grit of the people here, I can assure you of this.” She bowed slightly, adding, “I will take your request to heart and ensure that no hand remains idle.”

Another sigh could be heard from the princess as she had a piece of charcoal that was sharpened as a writing utensil. She was making more notes on her list of things to do, “I am not worried for our people, Elara. I am worried for the Aurelians who have no idea what is coming and their princess who is blinded by future fantasies without realizing all the steps in between now and then,” She huffed out her words while finishing the notes. Taking the piece of paper and moving herself to a desk. She set down the paper and turned to Elara with a smile.

“I will be asking people too, so you will not be the only one, but we do not have a variety of people here. Not yet. It will be good to investigate everyone’s skills,” Octavia had a warm smile and bright eyes. She was excited to learn more about her husband and his people even if she had a torturous disdain for the moment. The princess of Lunaris was salty about her parents saying yes for her and not giving her any say in the matter of marrying the man. She was trying to get over her own quick-tempered and hard-headed feelings of betrayal and stubbornness. It was such a difficult hump to get over internally.

Elara’s presence was a gentle force as she approached Princess Octavia. With a touch as light as the moon’s rays on her shoulder, she offered a silent vow of unity. “Princess Octavia,” her voice whispered through the chamber, “The Aurelians may stand on the brink of the unknown, but I am steadfast in my belief that with your guidance and our collective efforts, we can cast a net of warmth to enfold them as well.”
She paused, her words drifting down like the first delicate flakes of winter, foreshadowing the blanket of snow soon to envelop the land. “The journey of a sovereign is fraught with brambles laid by the hands of others, yet it is the courage within your breast that will turn these snares into milestones. Each stride, each decree, will be but a mirror of your intent and the depth of your compassion for your subjects. And I believe…that is the truest measure of a monarch.”
A blush, like the faint kiss of dawn, bloomed upon Elara’s cheeks as she retreated a step, her eyes cast downward in a moment of deference. “That is my conviction, at least…Your Highness. ”

Octavia returned the warm smile that she received from her hand maiden, “You would have honestly made a better royal than I have,” She chuckled lightly at her own words. “I do appreciate your very sweet and kind words —” she sighed at the thought, “— We will have to see how well we can provide for our counterpart people. I fear that they are not ready for the winter ahead and I do not know how well we can provide constant relief for them,” Octavia worried about the winter, the future, and everything. She was clasping onto the positivity that she needed to have but she didn’t want to. Her selfishness wanted her to lash out at Prince Flynn though she knew she shouldn’t. It was a war zone inside of herself and it helped to have someone so trusting beside her, Elara, was a savior at times. She had definitely calmed Octavia many times before so the princess’s fiery personality didn’t go nuclear.

Shutting her eyes and putting out her hands, she took a deep breath in and let it out, “I should probably go find my husband…” The way she said that last part made it sound like she was telling herself a lie. “I mean, Prince Flynn… Prince Flynn still sounds better,” she added emphasis on what she preferred to call him —- she was trying to get used to being married to the man though it felt like they were only sometimes encouraged to be in the same area. It was almost like being around a sibling you argued with and was forced to sit beside at dinner while guests attended. Distasteful but there could be worse things in this world.

With those words, the princess of Lunaris decided to go hunt her husband down to inform him of her plans and possibly her worries?

---

Collaboration with @Qia

Realms of Sun & Shadow

@The Savant
I want to meet her too and all of the characters eventually! There is real creativity here! I am swimming in it!

@amorphical

I agree. I'm roleplaying in my excitement for this roleplay and all the possibilities. I'm excited what Muse has in store for us.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

@The Savant ty I was so nervous.

@amorphical

You did wonderful. I want my characters to meet, Olivia. Haha.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

@amorphical I loved the post!

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Walls were being hoisted up on the mildly cold day. The sun might have not been shining and has not for the last handful or two of months, though it was such a pleasure to be in this land. Heavy breathing and individuals out of breath were everywhere as groans and aches could be heard around the area. The work had started early, very early, and it was almost time for lunch. “Put your body into it!” A recognizable voice could be heard echoing out to the small group of men as the pirate-like-dressed noble hoisted a singular wall up by himself. Most people would assume that the man had muscles for show and they were useless. His flamboyant personality and wildly chaotic energy played tricks on other people’s thought processes on who Cyrus ‘Sunni’ Emberani truly was.

A smiling face could be seen amongst the crowd as he stayed at a forty-five-degree angle with the earth beneath him. Mud. Trudging mud was beneath him, and it was caked on his boots like a cold in someone’s nose. Annoying yet manageable. It was clear to anyone that the man had possibly fallen and slipped on the muddy ground that they were working on quite a few times. “You two, stop staring, and secure the wall before I drop it!” Sunni commanded as two younger gentlemen stood around. Boys. They had never worked on building houses and they were from Aurelia — common folk that grew up on a blacksmithing forge.

“Y-yes, sir!” Both of them almost got out simultaneously. They both rushed and almost ran into each other to start securing the wall so it would be able to stand by itself with some support. As it was secured, Sunni pulled himself up with the rope so he was standing straight. Tall. He was quite a mess in this scenario — sweaty along dirty. A bath would surely be needed later, though the day wasn’t even at half. “You two are learning so quickly, you’ll be building houses by yourself soon enough!” his words of encouragement were emphasized with him patting the one’s shoulder and messing up the younger one’s hair. He was used to being around so many kids that he forgot sometimes — people didn’t want to be treated like children, even if they were. The two boys were not yet men. The one was on the brink, while the other was still young and boyish in stature. “Come on. Let’s take a break. All the walls are up and secured. We will have to work on building the roof for the rest of the day, but hopefully we can get it on tonight,” he was such a positive man. The one sighed with his words, “It’s so much work…” the younger one whined.

Sunni chuckled and nodded his head, “It is indeed, but you will be better for it,” he hooked the young man’s chin into his hand while looking into the unfamiliar green eyes. “If you need a break, tell me, I won’t be mad. I understand that this work isn’t for everyone and if you want a different job. I can find you something,” letting go of the boy’s chin. Sunni decided to go to the Eye of the Beholder Inn. Somewhere he fancied being because of the socializing and him being needed.

“Now you either can catch up or I won’t pay for your meals,” Sunni waved while both of the boys hurried up to his side. They were talking amongst each other as the trio entered the inn. Before he entered the building, he tried his best to stomp all the caked mud off him. Trying his best to look halfway decent. “Go order, and I will tell Syraeia that it is on me,” Both of the boys ended up departing from Sunni as he cleaned himself off before entering, which was something they did not do. Looking at the floors, he nodded — I’ll have to sweep and mop later — he thought to himself before entering.

Going up to the bar and right behind it, he waved with a charming smile at Syraeia when he caught her in his eyes. “Syraeia, both of those boys, they are on my tab for right now,” he informed her while pointing over to the two young men over at a table with only themselves. Sunni went into the kitchen, and he began to make whatever he wanted — usually stuff that was off the menu since he enjoyed cooking and knew his abilities. “Syraeia, do you need help!? After I am done eating, if something needs to be caught up on, or if you need a hand with filling the demands of customers. Let me know. I think the boys need a break from the building. I have been driving them like mules,” he lightly laughed while creating his meal.

---

@PrinceAlexus Syraeia Leela

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Octavia Lunalari-Astaros

𝕆𝕔𝕥𝕒𝕧𝕚𝕒 𝕃𝕦𝕟𝕒𝕝𝕒𝕣𝕚-𝔸𝕤𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕠𝕤

✾ Name ✾
Maiden Name
Octavia Lunalari
Married name
Octavia Lunalari-Astros

✾ Title ✾
Princess of Lunaris

✾ Age ✾
23 — December 12th

✾ Species ✾
Human

✾ Magic Specialties ✾
Dark
Air

✾ Age ✾
23 — December 12th

✾ Physical Traits ✾
Athletic-lean-muscular with hourglass shape
5’6”
130 lbs
Blue-green eyes
Brunette

✾ Background ✾

Octavia Lunalari was the first born out of three children when it came to the direct bloodline of the royal family. She was raised in the harsh landscape and environment of Lunaris like every other citizen — the royal family was known to be hands-on with their citizens and were not known to bask in their luxuries. Her and her siblings were raised with the foundational skills of hunting, survival, navigation, and leadership. If she wasn’t the princess, Octavia would have made an excellent guard. She always jokes, her younger sister, Sylestar, the middle child of the Lunalari family, would have been a better princess and future queen.

---

Odd opinion of the blight

Despite the devastation wrought by the blight upon her kingdom, Octavia harbored a curious fascination with the mysterious affliction. While others viewed it as a dire threat to be eradicated at all costs, Octavia saw it as an enigma begging to be solved. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the blight than met the eye, that perhaps it held secrets waiting to be uncovered.
Rather than fearing the blight, Octavia found herself drawn to it, intrigued by its origins and potential implications. She spent countless hours poring over ancient texts and consulting with the kingdom's most learned scholars, searching for clues that might lead to a deeper understanding of the blight's nature. While many questioned her motives and deemed her curiosity reckless, Octavia remained undeterred, driven by a thirst for knowledge that bordered on obsession.

---

Octavia’s arranged marriage to Flynn Astros, the prince of the Southern land of Aurelia, was a source of considerable conflict for the headstrong princess. From the moment the match was announced, Octavia bristled at the idea of being forced into a union she had no say in. She resented the expectation placed upon her to marry for the sake of political alliance, rather than for love or personal compatibility.

Despite her protests, Octavia found herself bound by the traditions of her kingdom, unable to defy the will of her parents and advisors. When the decision was made to establish Dawnhaven as a bulwark against the encroaching blight, Octavia's objections fell on deaf ears. She watched helplessly as her future was decided for her, her desires and aspirations sacrificed on the altar of duty and obligation.

Forced to leave behind the familiar comforts of her homeland and marry a man she barely knew, Octavia's resentment simmered beneath the surface, a silent rebellion against the forces that sought to control her fate. Though she outwardly complied with the dictates of her station, inwardly she longed for the freedom to chart her own course, away from the constraints of royal expectations and political intrigue.

Cyrus "Sunni" Emberani the fifth

Cyrus “Sunni” Emberani

Theme Song
<sub>“I’m a gambling man, so let’s gamble.”

“Anything and everything can be fixed. Sometimes it has to burn to the ground first.”

“Do you ever feel like you are inside of your body but are not a part of it? I feel like that every second of the day.”

“Everyone is promised one thing in this lifetime and it is death. It comes after us all so let’s have a little fun.”</sub>

Name
Cyrus “Sunny” Emberani the fifth

Titles
Merchant of Aurelia

Age
Twenty-six – July 21st (the hottest average day out of the entire year)

Species
Human

Magic Specialties
Fire & Healing

Physical traits
Mesomorphic inverted triangle
6’3”
180 pounds
Amber eyes
Redhead

---

Background

“A life for a life”

Cyrus ‘Sunni’ Emberani the Fifth was the beginning of the newest generation of Emberani. A day of birth was to be celebrated for it truly meant the establishment of blending families together. This day, July 21st, was bittersweet. Lady Noami Emberani (Fowler) was pronounced deceased not soon after her son’s arrival into the world. Sunni lost something he never truly had and Cyrus Emberani lost his beloved wife — something he could never replace.

The head of the Emberani family went into a justified state of depression even if he tried his best to hide it and ignore it. Everyone could tell that something changed on the day of his son’s beginning and his wife’s end. Absently, he was in no state to take care of Sunni so he put all the responsibility onto a wet nurse who lost her child during birth around the same time, Daisy Puckett, who Sunni refers to as ‘mother’ against everyone else’s wishes. She is the closest thing he would ever have to a mother figure.

“Sunni”

The firstborn of the Emberani family was raised in such a strained household. His father had too high of standards for the young boy while his mother-ized nanny allowed him to be like any other commonplace boy. From a young age, he lived different lives. He was Cyrus the fifth in his father’s company and his dew-sweet nickname ‘Sunni’ was given to him by Daisy and her family for his sunny personality.

Sunni loved being around the common folk and learning the ways of the average person of Aurelia. It was odd to peer out from fancy glass-stained windows and posh cushions when his father forced him to be inside and learn. He always loved dirtying his fine “silk” clothing that his father made him wear if it meant he made friends.

During the times his father requested his presence in the Emberani household it was for educational purposes and learning to be the future patriarch of the Emberani clan. He had all the private education, tutors, and everything one could wish for. He was taught in the arts of language, creativity, science, mathematics, swordsmanship, riding, and more. Everything a high-class gentleman and merchant should know.

When he could escape the household, Sunni could be found working out in his family's vineyards, and cotton plantations, and out with the servants of the family's household. He was always helping.

“You’re a curse upon this family.”

The eldest son of the family was truly considered a curse by the other Emberani’s — his grandfather, Cyrus the Third, never liked him for the fact that he wanted to familiarize himself with the lower classes. He would argue with his family about the wages they paid the people and everything else.

Sunni was someone who enjoyed creating smiles on others ’ faces — a little positivity in this cruel world. At fourteen, the Emberani’s discovered that Sunni was only as sunny as others allowed him to be. They came together to try and encourage Sunni to stop his foolish ways and get in line like everyone else has in the past.

“Why would I stop helping our workers? Isn’t a leader supposed to help? Isn’t a boss supposed to be good?! I’m supposed to take on the family name and business when you retire and am incapable of doing it! And I will change this family like you and our ancestors before us never dared to do because of their pathetic greed —”

That was the first time Sunni could remember his father hitting him so hard across the face. It began to show signs of bruising within moments of its happening. “You are a curse upon this family and have been since you were born,” the Emberani clan were known to be penny pinchers. They wanted everyone paying a high price and they paid the lowest. They were deal makers and bargainers —- a monopoly compared to other merchant families.

Sunni stood there being quiet and he couldn’t remember everything his father was ranting and complaining about that consisted of him. He just remembered the heartbeat he could hear in his ears. How tears welled in his eyes. How angry he was that he was always blamed for everything bad happening in the family because nothing bad happened for generations. Nothing changed. Everything stayed boring, simple and plain. Disgustingly blank because of the fear of his father and his father's father. “I’m glad I am a curse! If a curse is exactly what I am! THE GODS ABOVE must realize that you needed something to change your ways but you are pathetically scared of change and the news that you try to drive me in the dirt. Hit me again Father and I will make sure you will never be able to use that hand. I will show you how bad of a curse I can be on this family especially you!”

“A helpful and fair young man”

It was an odd take to ever consider an Emberani as actually helpful and not wanting anything in return except when it was Sunni Emberani being talked about. He was always in the bustling action of the merchant trade areas and the common folk places. The young man was a constant help with no questions asked. It has helped him mold into the person he is today — seeing different sides from different perspectives. Most of the time, the young man would wander around the city of Aurelia and try his best to mind his own business though he had such a hard time.

An old woman carrying something far too heavy for her? He would stop what he was doing to help even if his father’s scornful eyes demanded other actions from his son.

A group of young boys trying to hoist up the walls for a new building? This was a perfect time to help out, learn something new, and show off his muscles to the ladies watching.

The shops that his family owned had working areas in the back. Why couldn’t a man learn how to sew or embroider or crochet or knit!? It was a challenge and he loved it. Plus, the attention that he got from the beautiful seamstresses and little helpers was enough to keep him at it for hours.

Sunni thrived off of curiosity and attention. It helped him learn so many different things and realize people were people, no matter what walks of life they began at, and where they were currently. It helped him be rounded towards others and understanding. This helped him realize that he was no better than others and others, not even royalty or gods should be better than anyone else.

“A forgettable marriage”

To prove a point to his son, Cyrus Emberani the Fourth decided to arrange a marriage for his first born son, Sunni. Everything was distasteful about the situation and Sunni wanted nothing to do with the marriage. His father saw it as an opportunity to bring two higher families closer together, open trade routes, and lowering exchange costs — a business deal with more steps.

The marriage only lasted a handful of days between the newlyweds before Sunni was able to convince his wife that this marriage would never be good for either of them. He knew that she didn’t love him even if she possibly could. Sunni knew that he would resent her and he didn’t want that for either of them. Neither of them wanted such a situation for either of them.

They parted their ways without much of a hassle even if his father was furious that his son went out and divorced the young lady behind his back. That raised hell for roughly three months before his father realized he could truly never control his eldest son. At least the older man had stability in his wives and other children, right?

“I thought by twenty-one, I would be in the grave,”

It was an odd feeling to be standing there at his twenty-first birthday party. For some reason, he always could imagine his biological mother being there even though he never knew her except for the many paintings around the house.

His father made another attempt to get his son settled down with a woman. Sunni hated sitting there and talking to everyone about business or listening to all the women talk about themselves in such ways that made them look like an object instead of a person — it was all fake. No one truly cared what he said unless it was in their favor. Most would ask questions more than twice and he was bored of repeating himself. Sunni decided to sneak out of the event to have some fun around the city. Meeting up with his other family to enjoy the rest of the evening. They bar hopped, they danced on tables, they drank and ate too much to the point they puked on the streets, and they woke up the next day feeling awful. He rather be anywhere else instead in fancy clothes and in the middle of the stage of wealth and prosperity. Where no one was real. They were all as fake as he had to be.

“What a change”

By twenty-three, Sunni Emberani had pushed his father out of the limelight and had taken over the family business completely. He was beginning to raise pay rates, lower the costs of certain goods, and influence change in the merchant world. His whole family stood away from him as they thought he was a fool. Sunni didn’t believe he was a fool for making these changes. He was doing things for the better. More workers of the Emberani household and business were smiling, doing better, and thanking him for the changes. That is all he wanted… to make people’s lives better. It didn’t do much to the pockets of his family even if they complained like it was the end of the world.

“The burning of the Emberani household”

Roughly three years ago, Sunni Emberani was known to explode in the biggest fire tornado that Aurelia had ever seen. After twenty-three years of holding everything in… it shouldn’t have happened, but he let everything lose. His father was voicing down on him, a few of the wives put their two cents in, and even some of his younger siblings had complaints. All brainwashed by their husband and father. Sunni was getting sick of the dysfunctional household anyway but he didn’t mean to start shouting and yelling at everyone like a defensive animal. He felt like everyone was backing him into a corner and that was when all hell broke loose. The Emberani house went up into flames. The whole estate burned that day. The grass fried black. The trees became witched crooks of what the beautiful green was. All the pictures of his mother were gone. Everything from his childhood burned and there were no tears to be shed. Sunni smiled while watching that hellhole burn. Some recall him laughing, not in happiness, but in utter pain being released. To him, it was the most freeing thing that he ever felt, but he tried not to talk about it.

It was weird to experience how many people treated him differently after that. The life of a wealthy individual was so absolutely overwhelming and after that —- no one wanted to stop and talk or bother him. It made him giddy and pleased. No pompous idiot who had too much money for their lack of words or morals wouldn’t stop him and try to make business deals. People were more careful of what they said in business deals. He loved the power that it gave him.

“When are we leaving?”

Sunni might have been the most persistent when he was informed of the prince’s plan to leave Aurelia. He had wanted to leave the city for about two decades or more. Now there were official reasons he could escape his family along with keeping power in the family business. It would torment his father, yes, but he truly did not care. He wanted — no — he needed to escape this unchanging sorrowful pit of a city that hid behind sunshine and rainbows. He wanted something real.

Family tree

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Count me in! I saw this in the general interest check form but I will put my interest here for it as well.

Realms of Sun & Shadow

Count me in.

Turtle

Welcome to the world of RPG! I hope your welcoming and experience overall are warm!